Garden County Nebraska

GardenCoNe.com

Oshkosh, Lewellen, Lisco

Mayor: Cynthia S. Talley 305 West 1st Street, Oshkosh NE 69154 Phone: (308) 772-3686 email CTalley@gardencone.com

April 26, 2007

From the Hall

Every morning I walk by my neighbor's house on the way to work. Today is Thursday, April 26, 2007, and on my way, I watched a scene more moving than any movie screenplay written. I saw a family saying goodbye.

I love my neighborhood. We all have our quirks; things that bug us about each other, but the bottom line is that we care. The loss that hurts me as I lose the Rhea Family is nothing compared to that of Shauna's family. As Shiloh and Shauna held on to each other saying their goodbyes, I watched the family circle around and share their pain. Kids in their coats with a favorite doll tucked under their arm were hugging their aunt, uncle, grandparents and cousins goodbye. Family they spent time with everyday. They are headed to a new home where Dad has a great job. Good dads like Josh Rhea want to make a good life for their family. If they have to move to do it, they will. I respect that.

But today, I am so sad for that loss. I am sad for me. I will miss the snowman family in the winter in the front yard. I will miss the towheads and darker heads bobbing up and down... hair flying in the wind as they played. I will miss giggles and shouts carried in the breeze, little hands waving hello and goodbye, Josh coming over because Shauna told him I didn't have water, the vegetable garden and those beautiful girls at my door with an armful of stuff they had just picked and were sharing and I will miss them selling pumpkins or asking if they could pull weeds in my yard to earn money for a lamb. I'll miss Shauna mowing the yard with that sweet boy in the backpack or little girls who all wanted to hold my beautiful grandson. I will miss a simple thing; looking over in the night and seeing their light on; knowing they were there. The things I will miss can't even come close to what their family will miss. I believe our community will miss these things as well, even though they probably weren't even aware of them.

This scene didn't happen for the first time this morning. It didn't happen for the last. We, as a community have said goodbye to family after family; good people that make this a better place. And I am left with these questions. How do we keep this from happening? How do we, as a community provide opportunities for our young people to make a good life? How do we nurture entrepreneurs? How do we stop this trend?

First hand experience with this situation cannot be discounted. I have it. Not just as a bystander losing my neighbors. I know it on a personal level. In December, I was given notice that my position was eliminated, and that I should seek other employment. I found other opportunities; they just require me to leave my home. And just like the Rhea's and others who have gone before me, I will repeat the scene I watched this morning, just on a different, more personal level.

What can we do? The best solution I see is for all to participate in Hometown Competitiveness. Don't let personality or political differences stop you from being part of a movement that could make a difference for everyone. This program is proven. It has been successful in other communities who work it. It could work for us. If you have an interest in serving your community on a board, a committee, serving in any way- do it. Don't let age, gender or the possibility of failure stop you. Do it.

I remind you that this is our community. It will be what we make it.

I will miss you more than you will ever know when I leave.

Until that time, I remain.

Your mayor.

Cindee Talley